Within the modern world, we are often urged to “follow your heart, follow your feelings, follow your truth,” but the harsh reality is that truth can shift from one moment to the next. This method of thinking contradicts the idea of Hikmah. Hikmah means sticking to decisions, facing any challenges, and still staying firm. The Arabic term ḥukm (حُكْم) is the plural of “أحكام,” which essentially means making decisions that are secure, well thought out, and based on knowledge.
Legacy of Wisdom: Prophet Ibrahim’s Dua
Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.)’s legacy is a testament to the enduring power of wisdom. Upon completing the construction of the Kaaba, he made a heartfelt dua to Allah, asking for a messenger among his descendants who would recite divine verses, impart the sacred knowledge of the scripture, and embody wisdom. This prayer, spanning thousands of years was fulfilled. One of the reasons we value Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) is for his wisdom as now, Islam depends on the book and knowledge (the Quran), which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This has been passed down from generation to generation as a continuation of the dua made by Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.). Allah is believed to have answered the dua by sending a series of prophets within his family, ending with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who brought the final revelation.
There are four things any prophet does:
- Reciting divine revelations—a unique message entrusted to each prophet.
- Purifying the hearts of their people—cleansing the spiritual state of their communities.
- Teaching the divine law—educating on the decrees set forth by Allah.
- Imparting wisdom—sharing profound insights for living a righteous life.
Wisdom essentially ties everything together. Think of it like building blocks; the most vital ingredient is the cement, which secures and holds the building together, preventing it from collapsing. Just like that, if a person doesn’t have Hikmah, everything falls apart, with each individual grasping onto different bricks.
Hikmah brings people together and binds everything in equal parts, rather than holding onto pieces.
The Essence of Hikmah
Prophet Dawood (A.S)’s life experiences taught him to observe the world seriously. He learned not only from the revelations bestowed upon him, such as the Zabur (Psalms), but also from law, ethics, and psychology (Sad 38:21-27) as part of Hikmah.
Prophet Luqman (A.S) had the ability to think deeply about the existence of God and the afterlife, realising that everything he did had consequences (Luqman 31:12-19). When anyone contemplates to this level, like Prophet Luqman (A.S), they can discern the essence of Islam independently. This is much like understanding a profound truth without external guidance and this level of wisdom is accessible to anyone. As Muslim converts often say, “I felt like something I already knew,” referencing the verse:
“إِنَّا كُنَّا مِن قَبْلِهِ مُسْلِمِينَ Indeed we were, [even] before it, Muslims [submitting to Allah].” (Al-Qasas 28:53)
